“You are not forgotten”: this is the massage that the bishops of the Coordination of Bishops Conferences in support of the Church in the Holy Land (Holy Land Coordination, Hlc), which brings together prelates from the USA, EU, Canada and South-Africa, leave after their visit, ending today, 14th January, to the Christian communities of Gaza, Bethlehem and to the Iraqi and Syrian refugees in Jordan. In the final release about their visit (7-14 January), the bishops write: “we take away our experiences and the stories we have listened to, and we are determined to give a voice to the voiceless. The current violence makes it more urgent for us to remember and assist everyone, especially the outcasts, those who try to live in justice and peace”. The bishops’ mention those who, in the 2014 Gaza war, lost heir homes and suffered traumas. Despite some “signs of hope”, the message reads, “the embargo keeps making their lives desperate, and for them it’s like living in a prison. The fact that many Christians and Muslims support each other in these circumstances is, according to the prelates, “a tangible sign of hope and, in a time in which many people try to divide communities, an example for all of us”. “You are not forgotten” also goes to the Christian community of Beit Jala, where “Israel’s confiscation of the land and the expansion of the partition wall in the Cremisan Valley, in breach of international law, further undermine its staying on in the Holy Land”. “We will describe your serious situation to the national and international authorities”, insist the bishops who have always had the Cremisan affair at heart. As to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the message insists that “Israel is entitled to live safely” and that “endless occupation eats into the souls of both, the occupiers and the occupied”.

Political leaders all over the world – the bishops point out – must work harder to find a diplomatic solution to put an end to nearly 50 years’ occupation and to solve the current conflict, so that the two populations and the three faiths may live together in justice and peace”. A highlight of this year’s visit was the meeting with the Christian refugees who have fled to Jordan to escape Daesh. Over the last few days, the bishops could speak with the refugees and listen to their stories. “For most of them, going back home is no longer an option. Jordan – the prelates write – is struggling to cope with nearly one quarter of its population now being composed of refugees. The efforts made by the local Church and the NGOs to help all refugees – Christians and Muslims – are remarkable and praiseworthy, but the international community should work harder to relieve their pains and work for peace all over the region”. One last word is spent for the priests, the religious communities and the lay people of the Church in Jordan, defined as “vibrant and growing”, despite Christians “being fearful of the region’s growing extremism. Hopefully – the message ends –, the enforcement of the general Agreement between the Holy See and the State of Palestine on 1st January will provide us with an example of dialogue and cooperation between States that may respect and preserve freedom of religion and freedom of conscience for all peoples”.